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Travel Insurance
Best Travel Insurance Companies

11 Best Travel Insurance Companies Of April 2024

Expert Reviewed

Updated: Apr 11, 2024, 9:17am

We evaluated 39 policies and found that Travel Insured International, WorldTrips and Travel Safe are among the best travel insurance companies. We evaluated costs and a variety of coverage features to find the best options. See all our top picks.

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Summary: Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best for travel medical coverage, best for medical evacuation coverage, best for travel delays, best for baggage delays, what does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered by travel insurance, how much does travel insurance cost, what affects travel insurance costs, how to get travel insurance, do i need travel insurance, expert round-up: how to choose the best travel insurance policy, top travel destinations in april 2024, where are people headed this month.

List of January 2024 Top Travel Destinations

Methodology

Other travel insurance policies we rated, best travel insurance companies frequently asked questions (faqs), compare travel insurance quotes, compare & buy travel insurance, how we chose the best travel insurance.

We assessed cost, travel medical and evacuation limits, baggage and trip delay benefits, the availability of cancellation and interruption upgrades, and more. Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below.

39 travel insurance policies evaluated
1,482 coverage details analyzed
102 years of insurance experience on the editorial team

Our Picks For The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best for non-medical evacuation, travel insured international.

Top-scoring plan

Worldwide Trip Protector

Average price

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$100,000/$1 million

We recommend Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector policy because it offers robust benefits at the lowest average price among top-rated plans we analyzed. We also like its superior non-medical evacuation coverage.

“Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrades available.
Top-notch non-medical evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
Good travel delay and baggage delay benefits kick in after just a 3-hour delay.

More: Travel Insured International Travel Insurance Review

Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be enough for your needs.
Missed connection benefits of $500 are low compared to top-rated competitors and for cruise and tours only.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Worldwide Trip Protector policy.

Also included:

Pet kennel benefits of up to $500 are included if you return home three hours or more later than your planned return date.

Optional add-ons offered:

Rental car damage and theft coverage of up to $50,000.
Event ticket protection pays up to $1,000 if you can’t attend for a reason covered by the policy.
Travel inconvenience coverage allows you to recoup money for unforeseen circumstances, such as closed beaches and attractions, rainy weather, tarmac delays and more.
Bed rest benefits pay up to $4,000 if a doctor requires you to stay on bed rest for at least 48 hours during your trip.

GREAT FOR ADD-ON COVERAGE

Atlas Journey Premier

Average cost

$150,000/$1 million

We like the Atlas Journey Premier plan for its wide choice of add-ons. These add-ons provide extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, destination weddings, hunting and fishing equipment and more. We also like that this plan has a low average cost compared to competitors.

Very good travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after only 5 hours.
Very good missed connection coverage of $2,000 per person after 3 hours.

Another option is the Atlas Journey Preferred plan, but this policy doesn’t offer the “interruption for any reason” upgrade and has lower travel medical benefits of $100,000 per person. Still, it hits all the marks for great benefits at a low price. It also offers lots of choices for add-on coverage.

More: WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

Medical coverage limits of $150,000 aren’t as high compared to some top-rated competitors but you might find it’s sufficient.
Baggage delay benefits have a 12-hour waiting period.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Atlas Journey Premier policy.

Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 if your arrival home is delayed due to a transportation delay and you can’t work for at least two days, your flight lands at a different airport than scheduled, your passport is stolen and can’t be reissued, and more.
“Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” coverage.
Destination wedding coverage in case the wedding is canceled.
Baggage insurance upgrade to $4,000 per person.
Rental car theft and damage coverage of $50,000.
Political or security evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
Vacation rental accommodations coverage of $500 if unclean or overbooked.
Adventure sports add-on to extend coverage to safaris, bungee jumping and more.
Hunting and fishing coverage for equipment and cancellation due to government restrictions.
School activities coverage if trip has to be canceled due a test, sporting event, etc.

BEST FOR MISSED CONNECTIONS

Classic Plus Plan

TravelSafe’s Classic Plus plan stood out in our analysis for its superior missed connection benefits of $2,500. We also like the Classic Plus plan’s top-notch medical evacuation coverage of $1 million.

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
Superior baggage loss coverage limits of $2,500.
Great travel delay limits of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.

More: TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review

$100,000 in medical benefits is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be sufficient for your needs.
Baggage delay coverage is a little skimpy at $250 per person after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Classic Plus policy.

Itinerary change coverage of $250 per person if your travel supplier makes a change that forces you to lose non-refundable costs for missed activities.
Reimburses $300 for fees if you have to redeposit frequent traveler awards for reasons covered by your trip cancellation insurance.
Pet kennel coverage of $100 a day if your return home is delayed by 24 hours or more due to a reason covered in your policy.
“Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% of lost trip costs.
Accidental death and dismemberment for flights, up to $500,000 per person.
Rental car damage and theft up to $35,000.
Business equipment and sports equipment coverage of $1,000 if lost, stolen or damaged.

BEST FOR POLICY PERKS

Cruise Luxury

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan is one of our favorites because it has a treasure trove of benefits such as “interruption for any reason” and “cancel for work reasons” coverage. You can upgrade to “cancel for any reason” coverage. Some competitors offer none or one of those options. We also like its excellent missed connection benefit of $2,500 per person.

Note that you do not have to be going on a cruise to take advantage of this policy’s coverage.

“Interruption for any reason” benefit of $1,000 per person is included.
Includes $25,000 per person in non-medical evacuation benefits for problems such as a natural disaster or security or political problem.
Good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person.

More: Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

Medical coverage of $150,000 per person is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to some competitor policies with only a 12-hour delay requirement.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Cruise Luxury policy.

Inconvenience benefit of $250 per person if your cruise ship’s arrival at the next port of call is delayed for two or more hours due to mechanical breakdown or fire.
“Interruption for any reason” up to $1,000.
Coverage for extension of the school year, terrorism in an itinerary city, work-related emergency issues.
Coverage if the CDC issues a health warning at your destination.

Optional add-on offered:

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade that provides 75% reimbursement of insured trip cost if you cancel two or more days prior to your departure for a reason not listed in the base policy.

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION

Travel Guard Deluxe

The Travel Guard Deluxe plan impressed us with its optional pet, wedding, security, baggage, medical, adventures sports and travel inconvenience upgrades. These add-ons allow you to customize the policy to your needs. We also like that the policy includes benefits if, under certain conditions, you must start your trip earlier than planned—a feature not found in all policies.

Offers upgrades to meet the needs and budgets of many kinds of travelers.
Includes $100,000 per person for security evacuation and superior medical evacuation coverage of $1 million per person.
Provides up to $750 per person for “travel inconveniences” such as a flight delay to your return destination, runway delays and cruise diversions.
Has good travel delay coverage of $1,000 per person, with a short waiting period of 5 hours.

More: AIG Travel Insurance Review

The Travel Guard Deluxe policy has robust coverage across the board but also a high average cost ($539) compared to other top-rated policies.
Medical expense coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side but might be adequate for your needs.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Travel Guard Deluxe policy.

Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 total ($250 per problem) if you encounter issues such as closed attractions, cruise diversion, hotel infestation, hotel construction and more.
Trip exchange benefits of 50% of your trip cost that pay the difference in price between your original reservation and the new one.
Ancillary evacuation benefits up to $5,000 for expenses related to return of children, bedside visits, baggage return and more.
Flight accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $100,000 per person.
“Cancel for any reason” upgrade.
Rental vehicle damage coverage.
“Name Your Family” upgrade allows you to add a person to your policy who will qualify for family member-related unforeseen events that can apply to claims for trip cancellation and interruption.
Adventure Sports Bundle for adventure and extreme activities.
Pet Bundle for boarding and medical expenses for illness or injury of dog or cat while traveling. Includes trip cancellation or trip interruption if your pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days before your departure.
Wedding Bundle to cover trip cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Sorry cold-feeters: Coverage does not apply if you are the bride or groom.

The Travel Guard Preferred plan also earned 4.3 stars in our analysis. We recommend this policy if you’re looking for a lower price and don’t need the higher coverage amounts provided by the Deluxe plan. The Preferred plan provides $50,000 for medical expenses and $500,000 for medical evacuation benefits per person.

GREAT FOR MEDICAL & EVACUATION COVERAGE

Seven corners.

Trip Protection Choice

$500,000/$1 million

We like Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan because it has superior travel medical expenses and evacuation benefits. It also provides great upgrade options and benefits across the board.

“Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person.
Includes $20,000 for non-medical evacuation

More: Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

Hurricane and weather coverage has a 48-hour delay, compared to some competitors that require only 12-hour delays.
Average cost ($527) is only so-so compared to other top-rated policies we evaluated.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Trip Protection Choice policy.

Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $40,000 per person for qualifying common carrier events
Change fee compensation of $300 per person if you have to change your flight or original travel arrangements due to qualifying events.
Pet kennel benefits of $500 if your return home is delayed by six hours or more due to qualifying missed connection, interruption or delay problems.
Frequent traveler coverage of $500 to pay for the cost to redeposit awards due to a trip cancellation caused by a reason listed in your policy.
“Cancel for any reason” coverage.
“Interruption for any reason” coverage.
Rental car damage coverage of $35,000.
Sports & golf equipment rental coverage up to $5,000.
Event ticket fee registration coverage of $15,000 if you can’t attend an event due to unforeseen reasons listed in trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

BEST FOR BAGGAGE

Axa assistance usa.

Platinum Plan

$250,000/$1 million

AXA’s Platinum plan is among our favorites because it hits all the high points for coverage that you’ll want if you’re looking for top-notch protection, including excellent baggage benefits of $3,000 per person. Excellent medical and non-medical evacuation benefits are another reason we like the Platinum plan.

Generous medical and evacuation limits, plus $100,000 per person in non-medical evacuation—among the highest for plans we analyzed.
Coverage for lost ski days, lost golf rounds and sports equipment rental.

More: AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

Travel delay and baggage coverage kicks in only after a 12-hour delay.
The average cost for the Platinum plan is only so-so compared to other top-rated plans, although you do get robust coverage for the money.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Platinum policy.

“Cancel for any reason” coverage
Rental car damage coverage of $50,000.
Lost ski days
Lost golf rounds

GREAT FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION COVERAGE

Generali global assistance.

Generali’s Premium policy stood out in our analysis for its generous window for pre-existing condition coverage. Travelers with pre-existing conditions can get coverage as long as you buy a Premium policy up to or within 24 hours of your final trip deposit. Competitors often have a deadline of 10 to 20 days after making your first trip deposit .

We also like the policy’s excellent trip interruption insurance and superior medical evacuation benefits of $1 million per person.

Excellent trip interruption coverage of up to 175% of your trip costs.
Very good baggage loss coverage at $2,000 per person.

More: Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

If you want “cancel for any reason” coverage you must buy it within 24 hours of making your initial trip deposit, compared to 10 to 20 days from top competitors.
This plan’s “cancel for any reason” coverage will reimburse you for only 60% of lost trip costs; most competitors provide 75%.
Baggage delay benefits kick in only after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Premium policy.

Rental car coverage for theft and damage of $25,000.
Sporting equipment coverage of $2,000.
Sporting equipment delay coverage of $500.
“Cancel for any reason” upgrade that reimburses you 60% of your insured trip cost if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.

BEST FOR FAMILIES

Travelex insurance services.

Travel Select

$50,000/$500,000

We recommend Travelex’s Travel Select plan for families because it provides coverage for children at no extra cost (when accompanied by an adult covered by the policy). Its average price is also among the lowest among the companies we evaluated, making it an option to take a look at

Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 5-hour delay.

More: Travelex Travel Insurance Review

Medical coverage of $50,000 per person is on the low side, but you can buy an upgrade to double it.
Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay and has a low $200 per person limit.
Missed connection benefits of $750 per person are lower than many other competitors.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Travel Select policy.

Sporting and golf equipment delay benefits of $200 after 24 hours or more.

Optional add-ons & upgrades offered:

Medical coverage upgrade to $100,000 per person.
Medical evacuation upgrade to $1 million per person.
“Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% (up to max of $7,500).
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $200,000 per person for flights.
Financial default coverage if your travel supplier goes out of business that provides 100% reimbursement of your insured trip cost.
Car rental collision coverage of $35,000.
Adventure sports upgrade to cover activities that would otherwise be excluded.

BEST FOR TRIP INTERRUPTION

Hth worldwide.

TripProtector Preferred Plan

We were impressed by TripProtector Preferred’s superior trip interruption benefits—200% of the trip cost. Most competitors provide 150%. Luxury-level benefits are another reason we recommend the TripProtector Preferred plan.

Top-notch coverage limits for medical expenses and evacuation.
Coverage for adventure sports—such as zip-lining, snowmobiling, whitewater rafting, and more—are included.
Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.

More: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

Higher average price ($602) compared to most companies we evaluated, but you’re buying robust benefits.
Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the TripProtector Preferred policy.

Pet medical expense coverage of $250 if your dog or cat traveling with you gets injured or sick during your trip.
Rental car coverage of $35,000 for damage and theft.
“Cancel for any reason” upgrade available that provides 75% reimbursement of trip costs if you cancel at least two days prior to your scheduled departure.

GREAT FOR CRUISE ITINERARY CHANGE/INCONVENIENCE

Cruise Choice

$100,000/$500,000

The Cruise Choice plan gets our attention for its compensation if you miss activities because your cruise ship changes its itinerary and for the inconvenience of delays to the next port of call. The Cruise Choice plan’s competitive price is another reason we recommend taking a look.

Includes ”interruption for any reason” coverage of $500 if you buy policy within 14 days of trip deposit.
Includes $25,000 per person in non-medical evacuation benefits.
Provides benefits if your cruise ship has a fire or mechanical breakdown that delays arrival at the next port of call for two or more hours.
Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to many competitors with shorter required times.
“Cancel for any reason” coverage not available.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Cruise Choice policy.

Shipboard service disruption of $200 per person if your cruise ship has a fire or mechanical breakdown that delays the next port of call for 2 or more hours or changes the scheduled itinerary.
Coverage for an extended school year, terrorism in an itinerary city and work-related emergency issues.

These policies offer the highest level of medical coverage among the plans that we judged to be the best.

These policies offer the highest level of emergency medical coverage among the plans in our top picks.

These policies offer the highest maximum coverage limits for travel delays among the plans that we judged to be the best.

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury policy offers the highest maximum coverage for delayed baggage among the plans that were our top picks.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies package together a number of valuable benefits. You can also buy policies that cover only trip cancellation or only medical expenses. With the wide variety of travel insurance plans available, you can find coverage levels that will fit your budget and trip needs.

Problems not covered by travel insurance tend to be similar among policies. We recommend that you read a policy’s exclusions so you’re not caught by surprise later if you try to make a claim. Typical exclusions include:

Injuries from high-risk activities such as scuba diving.
Problems that happen because you were drunk or using drugs.
Medical tourism such as going abroad for a face lift or other elective procedure.
Lost or stolen cash.

The average cost of travel insurance is 6% of your trip cost , based on our analysis. The cost of travel insurance is usually mainly based on the age of travelers and the trip cost being insured.

Unlike many other types of insurance, there are usually only a few factors that go into travel insurance pricing.

You can buy travel insurance from a travel agent, website or a travel supplier like an airline or cruise company. We’ve bought travel insurance online and it’s relatively easy. In our experience you can purchase a policy online within a few minutes.

Here are some reasons you may need travel insurance.

You’re Traveling Overseas and Your Health Plan Doesn’t Have Global Coverage

Many health plans lack robust global coverage, or impose high out-of-network deductibles for care outside the U.S. We suggest that you check your health plan details to see what it provides outside the U.S. Travel medical insurance fills the gap.

You’re Going to a Remote Area or Out to Sea

If you won’t be near any quality medical facilities, even a small injury could turn into a major medical event. Medical evacuation coverage will pay to medevac you to an adequate facility.

You’re Traveling to a Hurricane-Prone Destination

If you’re concerned about hurricanes or other severe weather affecting your travel plans, you’ll want to make sure to buy a travel insurance policy that has trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance for hurricanes and other weather events.

If your trip is interrupted or canceled due to severe weather, you can file a claim and be reimbursed 100% for prepaid, non-refundable deposits.

To be eligible to file a travel insurance claim because of a storm, you must have bought your policy before the storm was named. Also, generally one of the following requirements must be met:

Your destination is under a hurricane warning.
Your destination is uninhabitable due to severe weather.
Your (common carrier) airline is delayed for a specified amount of time listed in your policy—for example, six hours.

You Want Emergency Backup

The 24/7 travel assistance lines that are included with travel insurance can assist you with finding a pharmacy, language translation, replacing a lost passport and much more.

You Will Lose a Lot of Money in Non-Refundable Deposits if You Cancel the Trip

You want trip cancellation coverage you’re worried about the money you will lose if you have to cancel the trip.

Trip cancellation will cover 100% of the prepaid money you’ll lose, as long as you cancel for a reason listed in the policy. Problems typically covered for trip cancellation insurance claims include sickness, injury, severe weather, natural disasters, jury duty and more.

Here is our top advice on key considerations for choosing the best travel insurance policy.

Americans are ready to take trips abroad in April: 89% of travel insurance purchases for trips taking place April 1-30, 2024, are for international trips, based on our analysis of policy sales.

Italy is the top international destination for trips this month, followed by Mexico and Great Britain. In addition:

The average trip cost being insured for people traveling outside the U.S. in April is $5,984.
The average trip cost being insured for folks traveling within the U.S. this month is $4,041.
Americans traveling internationally are paying an average of $332 for their travel insurance policies for April trips and domestic travelers are paying an average of $227.

List of April 2024 Top Travel Destinations

Average trip cost for popular destinations.

Spending on trips in March to five frequently visited countries is up significantly compared to February, based on our analysis. Italy and Mexico trip costs in March are the highest they’ve been in the past 14 months.

Here’s how much more travelers are spending on trips in March compared to February for the following destinations, on average. Numbers reflect the average of non-refundable trip costs being insured.

Italy. $6,690 more
France. $3,970 more
Great Britain. $665 more
Japan. $2,885 more
Mexico. $5,040 more

Forbes Advisor researched and analyzed 39 policies to find the best travel insurance. When companies had more than one travel insurance policy we used the highest-scoring plan. Ratings are based on the following metrics.

Cost (25% of score): We analyzed the average cost for each travel insurance policy for trips to popular destinations:

Couple, age 30 for a Mexico trip costing $3,000.
Couple, age 40, for an Italy trip costing $6,000.
Family of four for an Italy trip costing $15,000.
Family of four for a France trip costing $15,000.
Family of four for a U.K. trip costing $15,000.
Couple, age 65, for an Italy trip costing $6,000.
Couple, age 70, for a Mexico trip costing $3,000.

Missed connection coverage (10% of score): Travel insurance policies were awarded more points if they include missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more.

Medical expenses (10% of score): Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

Medical evacuation (10% of score): Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade (10%): Travel insurance policies received points if “cancel for any reason” upgrades are offered. More points were awarded for “cancel for any reason” upgrades with reimbursement levels of 75%.

Baggage delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with baggage delay benefits kicking in at 12 hours or less were given points.

Cancel for work reasons (5%): Travel insurance plans that allow cancellations for work reasons were awarded points.

Hurricane and weather (5%): Policies received points if the required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage was 12 hours or less.

“Interruption for any reason” upgrade (5%): Policies were awarded points if they offered an “interruption for any reason” upgrade.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver (5%): Points were given to policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions (if purchased within a required timeframe after the first trip deposit).

Travel delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with travel delay benefits kicking in after six hours or less were given points.

Trip interruption travel insurance (5%): Points were given if trip interruption reimbursement is 150% or higher.

While these policies were not among our winners, they may still be good options based on your travel needs. Many of these plans have lower coverage limits, which may be suitable depending on your trip.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of policy that reimburses you for money you lose from non-refundable deposits and payments when something goes wrong on your trip. These problems can range from lost baggage to flight delays to medical problems.

The more you’re spending on your trip, the more you likely need travel insurance. This is especially true for international trips and cruises, where travel problems become more expensive to solve.

What do I need for travel insurance?

The information you need to buy travel insurance includes the trip cost being insured, your age, your destination, length of trip and age. Buying travel insurance online is relatively easy. You don’t have to answer a lot of questions, and you can update your trip cost and itinerary later if plans change, as long as you do so before your departure.

Is there travel insurance for multiple trips?

While standard travel insurance plans are meant to cover one-time trips, frequent travelers should consider an annual travel insurance plan. These plans cover the same issues as a single-trip plan, such as trip cancellation and emergency medical situations. But they also offer the convenience of a one-time purchase for multiple trips.

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Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.

Shayla Northcutt is the CEO and founder of Northcutt Travel Agency and a leading world travel expert. Her main expertise includes destination weddings, honeymoons, large group travel, family travel, world travel and travel insurance. Northcutt appears regularly on KHOU 11 and ABC 13 Eyewitness News, among other media outlets, providing guidance on travel insurance for consumers. Her first-hand knowledge of destinations and resorts makes her a leading travel professional. Northcutt is married to an amazing husband and is a mom to two boys, Cayman and Crockett. She found a passion in travel and exploration of all the things the world had to offer. Feeling such a strong connection to the travel industry, she decided to open Northcutt Travel Agency in 2017. Northcutt has visited different parts of Europe numerous times, and has visited over 350 resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean leading to detailed first-hand knowledge of the resorts. She has also sailed on multiple cruise lines, giving her experience with the cruise world as well. The other places Northcutt has visited, and now helps people plan, include Disney, Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, Thailand and all major cruise lines.

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Driving and Road Trip Insurance

Travel insurance for road trips.

If you’re planning a road trip, road trip insurance can help. Road trip insurance provides coverage for medical emergencies and rental car incidents.

The classic road trip remains a favorite vacation style among many travelers. Since they are in the safety and familiarity of their own car for the majority of the trip, many people don't give a thought to possible limitations in coverage under their primary auto insurance policy while on a road trip. Before starting your road trip, you should carefully review your primary auto insurance to make sure it provides sufficient coverage like out-of-state travel, enough liability protection for all of your passengers, and other situations unique to your road trip plans.

While Arch RoamRight plans provide coverage for trip cancellation and medical emergencies, which can both effect road trips, these plans do not cover your own personal vehicle for collision insurance. However, if you choose to rent a car for your road trip, Arch RoamRight offers renter’s collision insurance (which includes damage and theft protection). You should note that, although car rental agencies can also sell you rental insurance for your road trip, it often works in daily charge increments which can quickly become very expensive. It helps to do your research before you approach the rental car counter.

If your road trip is taking you more than 100 miles away from home, Arch RoamRight provides protection for medical emergencies as well. Many of Arch RoamRight’s plans provide medical coverage including medical evacuation coverage, emergency reunion to bring someone to your bedside if traveling alone, and return of dependent children to your home if they are with you when you're hospitalized.

Get a free instant quote for road trip insurance from RoamRight today. If you have any questions, our representatives are standing by to assist you via live chat.

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of April 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

Travelex Insurance Services
Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
Tin Leg: Best Cost
AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
$750 in missed connection coverage
$50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
$2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
Up to $1,600 for travel delays
Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
$500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
$500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
$100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
$100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
$2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
$150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
$2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
$1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
$250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
$500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express .

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

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Your Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance for Your Trip

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at 800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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